Pulling-over machine



R; F. McFEELY. PULLING-OVER MACHINE.

' APPLICATION FILED JAN.2, 1917 1 1,356,538. Patented Oct. 26,1920.

2 SHEtlS-SntEf I.

I A I 2 v R. F. McFEELY.

PULLING-OVER MACHINE. AP'PucATmN FILED IAN-2,1917.

1,356,538. Patented 00. 26,1920.

2 SHEElS-SHEET 2.

ii i. Ill

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

RONALD IMoFEELY, BEVERLY, MASSACHUSETTS, ASSIGNOR, BY MESNE ASSIGN- MEN'IS, 'lG UNITED SHOE MACHINERY CORPORATION, OF IATERSON, NEW JERSEY,

A COR0RATION OF NEW JERSEY.

. PULLING-OVER MACHINE.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Oct. 26, 1920.

Application filed January 2, 1917. Serial No. 140,092.

T 0 all w item it may concern Be it known that I, RONALD F. MoFnELY, a citizen of the United States, residing at Beverly, in the county of Essex and State of Massachusetts, have invented certain Improvements in Pulling-Over Machines, of which the following description, in connection with the accompanying drawings, is a specification, like reference characters on the drawings indicating like parts in the several figures.

This invention relates to pulling-over machines such as are used. in the manufacture of boots and shoes for pulling the upper into conformity to the contour of the last; and an object of the invention is to provide in such machines improved means for pulling or stretching the upper, to the end that the operation of the machine may be under more effective control than heretofore and more precise and accurate results may be secured without danger of waste through the tearing of upper stock.

IVith the above and other objects in view, an important feature of the invention resides in a novel construction and arrangement of upper pulling mechanism including fluid operated means for subjecting the upper to the required tension. The illustrative embodiment of the invention comprises, in addition to mechanism of well known construction for imparting an initial pull tothe upper stock, fluid operated means for subjecting the upper subsequently to a supplemental or final pull, thereby stretching the upper to such a degree as to insure durability oil shape in the finished shoe without the danger of tearing the upper stock that might be present in some cases if the entire stretching of the upper were to be effected as one continuous operation. The invention also provides, as a related feature, means for rendering pressure fluid effective in a pulling-over machine, not only to tension the upper, but also if desired to decrease the tension, the machine shown having cylinder and piston mechanism for effecting gripper movements with -means for enabling the operator to admit the operating fluid to either end of the cylinder at will for moving the gripper in different directions alternatively. An important advantage, among others, in the use of fluid operated upper pulling means, particularly for subjecting the upper to the final tension, is the opportunity afforded for precise and accurate control, whereby the operator may regulate the tension on the upper in accordance with the conditions which he observes with reference to the stock in any particular shoe. An im portant factor, moreover, in securing precision in the upper tensioning operation in the use of the illustrative machine is the arrangement of shoe positioning means and controlling means in such relation as to afl'ord the operator a full and critical view of the forepart of the upper while in his normal working position. In order further to facilitate such accurate control on the part of the operator this invention provides valve means readily responsive to vary the admission or the exhaust of the operating fluid and normally held yieldingly in a neutral position. In the construction shown compressed air is utilized as the operating fluid, thereby affording further insurance against danger to the upper stock by reason of the yielding quality of the pull effected by the elastic medium.

A further feature of the invention consists in the provision of fluid operated means whereby the operator is enabledto efi'ect relative movement of different grippers'as, for example, the grippers at opposite sides of a last. A convenient embodiment of this feature, as illustrated, comprises separately controlled fluid operated mechanism for each of the side grippers, this arrangementpermitting the force of the pull at either side of the last to be precisely determined in accordance with local conditions inthe upper stock and also enabling the operator, by manipulation of the controlling means, to effect an adjustment of the upper transversely of the last.

till another feature of the invention resides in novel means whereby an operative provided for retarding the passage of fluid from or to one end of the cylinder to cause the mechanism to serve as a dash-pot in the initial operation of the gripper; and this means serves also to render more gradual the pull effected by the fluid operated mechanism, thus affording the operator still more effectual control of the upper pulling operation.

The above and other features of the invention, including a novel constriction and arrangement of side gripper operating connections and various details of construction and combinations of parts, will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings and pointed out in the claims.

In the drawings, Y

Figure 1 is a view in side elevation of a pulling-over machine in which the invention is embodied,

Fig. 2 is a view in rear elevation of a portion of a pneumatic gripper operating mechanism,

Fig. 3 is a section on an enlarged scale on the line 3-3 of Fig. 2,

Fig. 4 is a perspective view of the cylinder and valve chest shown in Fig. 2 with a portion of the casing broken away to illustrate the construction of the valve,

Fig. 5 is a view similar to Fig. 2 of an alternative construction and arrangement of gripper operating mechanism, and

Fig. 6 is a section on the line 66 of Fig. 1.

The invention is illustrated in its applicationto a machine of a well known type such as shown and described in detail in prior United States Letters Patent No. 1,029,387, granted upon my application on-June 11, 1912, having starting and stopping mechanism the construction of which is more fully disclosed in prior Patent No. 791,986, granted on June 6, 1905, and only such features of the general organization of the machine as it is necessary to refer to for an understanding of the present invention will be described herein in detail. The machine includes side grippers 2 for engaging the margin of the forepart of a shoe upper at opposite sides of a last, each of said grippers having operative connection with an updraw lever 4 which is pivoted at 6 to the frame of the machine and is operated by means of a cam S on a cam shaft 10. The connections be tween the cam 8 and the updraw levers in the construction shown in Figs. 1 and 2, comprise a slide 12 having a roll 14 which engages in a groove 16 in the face of the cam, rods 18 projecting upwardly from the slide through blocks 20 which are forked to embrace the rear ends of the levers 4, and springs 22 on the rods 18, each bearing at its upper end on a nut on the end of the respective rod and at its lower end on the corresponding block '20. The side grippers 2 are thus subjected to a yielding pull the strength of Which depends upon the degree of compression of the springs 22 effected by the downward movement of the slide 12. It will be understood that the operative downward movement of the slide 12 is effected by a partial rotation of the cam 8 upon the actuation of the machine clutch and that the machine then comes to rest with the upper under tension to permit the operator to inspect the upper and to make any adjustment that may be necessary for straightening the tip of the shoe or for otherwise cor recting any inaccuracyin the position of the upper on the last. It is while the upper is thus under tension that the means provided by the present invention will preferably be used for the purpose of stretching the upper more completely and effectively as well as compensating for any possible relaxation of the tension of the upper in subsequent operations before the margin of the upper is finally fastened in position.

In carrying out the objects of the invention, the machine, in the construction shown in Figs. 1 and 2, is provided with a cylinder 24 in which is reciprocatively mounted a piston 26 (Fig. 3) connected by a rod 28 and a link 30 with a rocker arm 32 the opposite ends of which are received loosely in recesses formed in upward extensions of the blocks 20. The piston is thus connected to both the gripper 'levers, while relative movement of the different levers is permitted through the provision of the rocker Compressed air is supplied to the cyl inder24 from a reservoir 34 in which a suitable air pressure is maintained by means of a pump 36 continuously driven from. the main power shaft of the machine. The air is conducted from the reservoir 34 through a conduit 38 to a valve chest 40 in which is mounted a rotary valve 42 constructed and arranged to control the admission of air from an inlet port 44 to passages 46 and 48 leading respectively to opposite ends of the cylinder 24, and the exhaust of the air from the cylinder through either of these pas sages to an outlet port 50. The valve 42 is in the shape of a conical plug cut away at the sides for communication with the different ports and passages, and is held to'its seat by means of a spring 52 which enciw cles a valve shaft 54 and bears on a cross bar 56 on the inner end of the shaft. The bar 56 is seated in a transverse groove in the end of the valve, thus causing the valve to turn with the shaft, and the spring tends to move the bar and the shaft toward the valve in such manner as to hold the valve tightly seated. For operating the. valve the shaft 54 is provided with a crank 58 connected by a link 60 with a hand lever 62 pivoted on the side of the machine.

Normally the valve 42 is positioned as shown in l i the grippers to starting position after the operations on a shoe have been completed. In order thus to centralize the valve, mechanism shown in detail in 6 is provided, comprising spring plungers .64 arranged to bear respectively on opposite sides of a lug 66 on the crank arm' 58. The normal position of the plungers 64 is adjustable by means of nuts 68. hen the hand lever 62 is operated one or the other of the plungers (5st will be pressed back, and when the lever is released this plunger will immediately return the arm 58 and the valve to normal position.

In the operation of the machine as thus far described the shoe is positioned as in well known prior machines with the top of the fore part facing the operator, and upon an actuation. of the starting mechanism the several grippers, including the side grippers 2, are operated to pull. the upper over the last. In this movement the springs 22 are compressed by the operation or" the slide 12, and the machine comes to rest with the side grippers pulling the upper with a force de termined by the tension of the springs. The movement of the gripper levers 4t is accompanied by a downward movement of the piston 26 in the cylinder 2& to substantially the position indicated in Fig. 3 by reason of the connections between the piston and the levers, these connections permitting the levers to move different distances or to assume different relative locations in accordance with ditl erences in resistance or in the position oi the margin of the upper on the opposite sides, as hereinbetore explained.

lVhile the machine is at rest with the upper under tension the operator is afl'orded the usual opportunity to inspect the upper and, it necessary, to straighten the tip by adjusting one orboth out the side grippers lcn gthwise ot the last. By manipulating the levers a by hand, moreover, he may shift the position of the forepart of the upper transversely of the last. After effecting such adjustments as are required, the operator, by manipulating the lever 62, may turn the valve as to admit compressed air to the upper end ot the cylinder 24, thereby depres ing the piston 26 and through the posi tive conue-z'tions between the piston and the levers imparting a supplemental updraw movement to the levers and the side pers. The construction of the valve operating means permits the operator to control the admission. of air to the cylinder with great precision and to vary as desired the rapidity and extent of the supplemental updraw movement. It so desired, the valve may be operated to open and close the passage 4C6 a plurality of times in succession and thereby impart several successive pulling impulses to the grippers. An important advantage of such flexibility in the control of the supplemental updraw means is that the operator may instantly adapt the machine to the conditions which he observes as to the upper stock in any particular shoe, admittin a relatively large quantity of air at once to the cylinder where a considerable amount of additional stretching of the upper is required, or admitting the air very slowly and in small. quantity to the cylinder where but little additional stretching of the upper is necessary or advisable. At any time, moreover, the position of the valve may be reversed to effect the admission of air to the lower end of the cylinder and relax more or less the tension on the sides of the upper.

'It will be apparent that the springs 22 will expand as the levers l are moved to impart additional tension to the upper, and the strength of these springs is such that after the upper has been additionally stretched by the pneumatic means the springs may be depended upon to retain the upper in its stretched condition. The operator therefore may release the lever 62 after the supplemental updraw has been effected, whereupon the plungers 6 L will centralize the valve as indicated in Fig. 3 and permit the exhaust ot' the compressed air in the cylinder through the port 50.

In order further to insure that the operation of the pneumatic updraw means maybe effectively controlled in accordance with the observed condition oi the upper stock, the cylinder 24 is provided with a regulating valve '70 in one of the air passages, as 48, this valve serving toobstruct the passage 48 in varying degree in accordance with its adjustment. In consequence of the provision of this valve the movement ot' the piston 26in either direction will be retarded. hen, for example, air is admitted to the upper end of the cylinder 24: to efiect the supplemental updraw movement of the grippers, the escape of the air in the lower end of the cylinder will be retarded by the valve 70, thus rendering the piston more slowly responsive to the expansion of the compressed air in the upper end of the cylinder. The operator is thus afforded the opportunity to observe still more closely the condition of the upaer during the pull, and injury to the upper by reason oi any too sudden application of pullingtoree is further guarded against, It will. be evident, moreover, that the valve '70 causes the. lower end of the cylinder 2min cooperation with the piston, to serve as a dash-pot during the movement of the grippers effected through the springs 22, thus retarding the updraw and insuring further against injury to the upper at this stage in the operation of the machine.

In the construction hereinbefore described the updraw levers 4, although arranged with freedom for relative movement in accordance with varying conditions on opposite sides of the upper, are moved together in the supplementary or final updraw through connections to a single piston 26. In Fig. 5 is shown an alternative construction in the use of which either lever 4; may be moved by pneumatic means at the will of the operator without imparting a similar move ment to the other lever. In this construction there are provided two cylinders 24, pistons 26 and piston rods 28, and also two valves 42 controlling the admission of air to the respective cylinders from a common supply chamber 72, these valves being oper ated by separate links and levers 62 and provided also with centralizing means identical with the construction of Fig. 2. A regulating valve for each cylinder likewise is provided. In this construction the blocks 20 have upward extensions '74 which are pivoted directly to the piston rods 28, and the slide 12 carries single rod 18 surrounded by a comparatively strong spring 22 which bears upon a rocker 32, the rocker having a flaring recess 76 to permit it to tip relatively to the rod 18 and hearing at its opposite ends upon the respective blocks 20. In the use of. the construction shown in Fig. 5 the initial pull is applied. to the side grippers through the single spring 22 and the rocker 32, the gripper levers l being free to assume different relative positions through the provision for tipping movement of the rocker, and the pistons 26 responding to the movement of the gripper lovers as well as serving to retard suchmovement in the same manner as the single piston of the other construction. lVhile the grippers are pulling the upper by reason of the compression of. the spring 22. either valve 42 may be manipulated for the pur pose of increasing or relaxing the tension of the upper at one side of the. last relatively to that at the other side; and in this manner the operator ay. if occasion demands. adjust the upper transversely of the last by pneumatic power prior to the supplemental stretching of the upper which also is effected by manipulation of the valves. either both together or successively. t will be evident, moreover, that this construction affords opportunity for subjecting the opposite sides of the upper to different degrees of tension in accordance with the different requirements at the opposite sides of the last. The spring 22, acting through the rocker 32", serves to retain the side grippers in their final position, thus permitting the operator to release the levers 62, as in the construction of Fig. 2, as soon as the rcquired movements of the grippers have been elfected.

Although the invention is herein shown as embodied in means for operating the side grippers of a pulling-over machine, it will be understood that in its broader aspects the invention is not limited with respect to the location of the gripper or grippers.

Having described the invention, what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent of the United States is:

l. A pulling-ovenmachine having, in combination, a gripper for engaging an upper, means for operating the gripper to impart an initial pull to the upper, and fluid operated means for operating the gripper to impart a supplemental pull to the upper.

2. A pulling-over machine having, in combination, a gripper for engaging an upper, a power shaft, driving connections between said gripper and the power shaft for imparting a pulling movement to the gripper, and fluid operated means for imparting a supplemental pulling movement to the gripper.

3. A pulling-over machine having, in combination, a gripper for engaging an upper, a power shaft, driving connertions between said gripper and the power shaft for imparting a pulling movement to the gripper, a cylinder, a fluid operated piston in the cylinder, and means connecting the piston to the gripper for imparting an ad ditional pulling movement to the gripper.

i. A pulling-over machine having, in combination, a gripper for engaging an upper an updraw lever connected to said gripper, means comprising a spring arranged to be tensioned for operating said lever to cause the gripper to pull the upper yieldingly, and fluid operated means connected to said lever for imparting an additional pulling movement to the gripper.

5.1K pulling-over machine having, in combination, a gripper for engaging an upper, an updraw lever connected to said gripper, a spring arranged to be tensioned for operating said lover to cause the grip per to pull. the upper, and fluid operated means for moving the lever to increase the tension of the upper, the spring being arranged to retain the lever in the position to which it is moved by said means.

6. A pulling-over machine having, in combination, a gripper for engaging an upper. a power shaft, driving connections between the gripper and the power shaft comprising a spring arranged to be tensioned for imparting an initial pulling movement to the gripper, and pneumatic means also connected to the gripper for imparting a supplemental pulling movement thereto.

-7. A pulling-over machine having, in

combination, a gripper for engaging an upper, means having a prescribed range of 10. A pulling-over machine having, in combination, a gripper "for engaging an upg per, a cylinder, a piston in the cylinder,

means connecting the piston to said grip per, a valve for controllingthe' admission of fluid to the cylinder and the outlet of fluid thereitrom, manual means for operatthe valve, and meansfor normally holdin a the valve in position to maintain the ill .. 'licl'll)loi the cylinder in communication with the atmosphere.

11. A pulling-over machine having, in combination, a gripper for engaging an upper, gripper operatingmeans connected to the gripper and comprising a cylinder and a piston in the cylinder, a source of supply of operating fluid, and controlling means to enable the operator to. admit fluid from sa d source to the cylinder in variable quant ms to cause the gripper to pull the, upper with such force and rapidity. as may be de sired, said controlling means comgr'ing a valve and operating connections arranged for n anipulation the operator While he in position to view the upper over the top and around the opposite sides of the fore part, and spring meanstending to hold the valve in position to disconnect the cylinder from the source of fluid supply.

12. A pulling-over machine having, in combination, a gripper for engaging an upper, a cylinder having inlet and outlet ports, a piston in the cylinder, means connecting the piston to the gripper, means for controlling the admission of fluid to'the cylinder through the inlet port and the exhaust ot the fluid through theoutlet port, manual means for operating said controlling means to admit fluid to the cylinder, and means for -returning the controlling means into such a position as to cause the cylinder tocommunicate with: the outlet port upon the release of said controlling means. by the operator. v

13. A pulling-over machine having, in combination, a gripper for engaging an up-i per, gripper operating means connected to the gripper and comprising a cylinder and a piston in the cylinder, and means for ad: mitting fluid to either end of the cylinder for movingthe gripper in different directions.

14. A pulling-over machine having, in combination, a gripper for engaging an upper, gripper operating means connected to the gripper and comprising a cylinder and a piston in the .cylinder, and manual means to enable the operator to admit fluid to either end of the cylinder at Will for opoperating the gripper either to pull the upper orto relax the tension of the upper.

15. pulling-over machine having, in combination, a gripper for engaging an upper, a cylinder, a piston in the cylinder, means connecting the piston to the gripper, means forcontrolling the admission of fluid to the cylinder and the exhaust of fluid. therefrom, and means for normally maintaining said controlling means in such position asto eflect a communication between the'opposite ends of the cylinder. 7 I

16. A pulling-over machine having, in combination, a gripper for engaging an upper, and gripper operating "means constructed and arranged to be. moved by fluid pressure in diflerent directions at the will of the operator for pulling the upper or to relax the tension of the upper.

' 17. A pulling-over machine having, in combination, a gripper for engaging an upper, means for operating the gripper to pull the upper, a cylinder, a fluid operated piston in the cylinder, means connecting the piston to the gripper for imparting an ad ditional pull to the upper, and means for maintaining the cylinder in communication with the atmosphere during saidfirst mentioned pulling movement of thegrippen 18.,A pulling-over machine having, in combination, a gripper for engaging an upper, means for operating. the gripper to".

pull'the upper, a cylinder, a piston in the cylinder, means connecting the piston to the gripper, and controlling means for ad' .mitting fluid to one end of the cylinder for imparting an additional pulling movement to the gripper or to theiother end of the cylinder for operating the gripper to relax thetension of the upper, said controlling means being constructed and arranged to maintain communication between the. oppo- I site ends of the cylinder during; said first -mentioned pulling movementof the gripper.

1 9. A pulling-over-machine having, in

combination, a gripper for engaging an upper, means for operating the gripper to pull the upper, and fluid operated means for imparting an additional pulling movement to the gripper, said fluid operated means being constructed and arranged to retard said first mentioned pulling movement of the gripper.

20. A pulling-over machine having, in combination, a gripper for engaging an upp r an updraw lever connected to said gripper, means for operating said lever comprising a spring arranged to be tensioned for imparting a pulling movement to the gripper, and fluid operated means for imparting an additional pulling movement to said lever, said fluid operated means being constructed and arranged to retard the first mentioned pulling movement of the lever under the force of said spring.

21. A pulling-over machine having, in

combination, a gripper for engaging an upper, means for operating said gripper to pull the upper, fluid operated means for imparting an additional pulling movement to the gripper comprising a cylinder and a piston in the cylinder, and means for restricting the outlet of fluid from one end of the cylinder to cause the cylinder and piston to serve as a dash-pot for retarding the first mentioned pulling movement of the gripper. V 22. A pulllng-over machine having, in

combination, a gripper for engaging an upper, 21 double ended cylmder, a piston in the cylinder, means connecting the piston to the gripper, means for admitting fluid to one end of the cylinder for imparting pulling movement to the gripper," and means for controlling the simultaneous outlet oi fluid from the other end of the cylinder to vary the rapidity of the pulling movement.

23. A pulling-over machine having, in combination, a gripper for engaging an upper, double ended cylinder, a piston in the cylinder, means connecting the piston to the gripper, a manually controlled valve for admitting fluid to one end of the cylinder for imparting pullin movement to the gripper, an outlet passage from the opposite end of the cylinder, and means adjustable to restrict the floW of fluid through said pas sage for varying the rapidity of the pulling movement of the gripper.

24. A pulling-over machine having, in

combination, a gripper for engaging an upper, a cylinder, a piston in the cylinder, means connecting the piston to the gripper, manually operated means for admittlng fluid to the cylinder to eflect pulling movement of the gripper, and additional means adjustable to vary the rapidity of movement o1 the piston.

25. A pulling-over machine having, in

combination, a gripper for engaging an upper, means for operating said gripper to 26. A pulling-over machine having, in

combination, a gripper for engaging an upper, fluid operated means for effecting a pulling movement of said gripper, a manually operated valve for controlling the admission of the operating fluid, and spring plungers oppositely disposed for determining a normal position of said valve.

27. A pulling-over machine having, in combination, grippers arranged to engage an upper at opposite sides of a last, power driven means for operating said grippers to cause them to pull the upper ant, to come to rest While holding the upper under tension, and fluid operated means for imparting an additional pulling movement to t-he grippers.

28. A pulling-over machine having, in combination, grippers arran ed. to

an upper at opposite sides or a last, power driven means tor operating said grippers to him to control selectively the movements of the diflerent grippers.

30. A pulling-over in combination, grippers for. engaging the forepart of an upper at opposite sides of a last, means for operating said grippers to cause them to pull the upper and to come to rest while holding the upper under tension. and fluid operated means for moving either or both of said grippers each independently of the other to increase or limiuish th tension of the upper.

31. A pulling-over machine having, in combination, grippers for engaging thettorepart of an upper at opposite sidesof a last. means for operating said grippers to cause them to pull the upper and to come to rest While holding the upper under tension, and fluid operated means for moving one of the grippers to impart a supplemental pull to machine havin the upper Without similarly moving the other gripper. l

32- A pulling-over machine having, in combination, grippers for engaging'an upper at'opposite sides of a last, power driven means for operating said grippers to pull the upper, and fluid operated mechansm controllable independently With respect to each of said grippers foroperating the grippers to impart a supplemental pull to the upperof variable extent determined by the operator for the respective sides of the shoe.

33. A pulling-over machine having, 'in combination, grippers for engaging an upper at opposite sides of a last, fluid operated means for operating said grippers to pull the upper, and manual controlling means constructed and arranged to enable the operator while in position to view all portions of the upper over the top and around the opposite sides of the fore part to render said fluid operated means effective to operate either of the grippers independently of the other.

34:. A pulling-over machine having, in combination,-a pair of grippers for engaging an upper at opposite sides of a last respec tively, a pair of cylinders, pistons in the cylinders connected to the respective grippers,'and separate means comprlsmg valves and op erating. connections arranged to be manipulated-by the operator while in posi-' tion to view all portions of the upper over the top and around the opposite sides of the forepart for controlling the admission of operating fluid to each cylinder.

35. A pulling-over machine having, in-

combination, grippers for engaging an upper at opposite sides of a last, and means for operating said grippers to pull the upper comrising a spring arranged to be tensioned for imparting pulling movement to both" grippers and connecting means between said spring and the grippers constructed and ar ranged to permit relative' movement of the grippers in the direction of the pull, in accordance with differences in respect to the condition of? opposite sides of the upper.

36. A pulling-over machine having, in combination grippers for engaging an upper at oppositesides of a last, an updraW 1e ver for each gripper, and means for operating said levers comprising 'a spring arranged to be tensioned for lmpartlng pulllng movement to both levers and a rocker arm between said spring and. the levers constructed and arranged to permit relative movementof the levers.

-37. A pulling-over machine having, in combination, grippers-for engaging an upper at opposite sides of a last, an updravv lever for each gripper, and means for 0pera-ting said levers comprising an armhav- 7 ing its oppositeends operatively related to the respective levers and a spring arranged to bear centrally upon the arm and to be tensioned for imparting pulling movement to the levers, the armbeing constructed-for rocking movement to permit relative move ment of the levers.

38. A pulling-over machine, having, in

combination, grippers for engaging an up per at opposite sides ofa last, an updraw,

lever for each gripper, an arm arranged with its opposite ends 1n position tooperate the respective levers, a rod extending centrally through said arm, a spring on the rod, and means for operating the rod to ten-f sion the spring and bring pressure to bear through said arm upon the levers, the arm being constructed for rocking movementcrating the grippers comprising a spring and mechanism for renderingthe spring effective to impart pulling movement to both" grippers, and fluid operated means constructed and arranged to impart an additional pulling movement to either or both of said grippers at the will of the operator.

40. A pulling-over machine having, in

combination, grippers forengaging an upper at opposite sides of alast, an updraw lever for each of said grippers, a spring, means for rendering said spring effective to impart pulling 'movement to said levers, a, pair of cylinders, pistons 1n the cylinders,

means connecting said pistons to the respective updraw levers, and means for control- 7 ling the admission of operating fluid to each or said cylinders independently of the other for imparting additional pulling movements to the levers.

ll. Aina'chine of the class described hav ing, in combination, an upper engagingf gripper, lneangfor operatingsaid gripper to pull an upper and to hold it under tension, and means constructed and arranged for operation byfluid pressure While "the upper is thus under tension to move the gripper in a direction to change the tension of the upper,

42. A machine of the class describedhaving, in combination, an upper engaging gripper, gripper operating means for iniparting an upper pulling movement to the gripper, and additional gripper operating means comprising a cylinder and a piston,

gripper, gripper operating means for im parting an upper pulling movement to the gripper, additional gripper operating means connected to the gripper and comprising a cylinder and a piston in the cylinder, and controlling means movable at the will of the operator to admit pressure fluid'to the cyl inder or to release it therefrom.

4.4. A machine of the class described having, in combination, an upper engaging gripper, gripper operating means for imparting an upper pulling movement to the gripper, additional gripper operating means comprising a cylinder and a piston and conparting an upper pulling movement .to'the gripper, additional gripper operating means connected to the gripper and comprising a cylinder and a piston in the cylinder, means for admitting fluid to either end of the cylinder for moving the gripper in different directions. and means for maintaining communication between the opposite ends of the cylinder during movement of the gripper bv said first-mentioned operating means.

lGfA machine of the class described having, in combination, an upper engaging gripper, gripper operating means for 1mparting an upper pulling movement to the gripper, additional gripper operating means connected to the gripper for operating the gripper by fluid pressure, and means for causing said additional operating means to serve as a dashpotto retard movement of the gripper effected by said first-mentioned operating means.

47. A machine 01": the class, described having. in combination, an upper engaging gripper, gripper operating means for imparting an upper pulling movement to the gripper, additional gripper operating means connected to the gripper and comprising a cylinder and a piston in the cylinder for operating the gripper by fluidpressure, a fluid admission and exhaust passage communicating with the cylinder, and means for variably restricting the flow of fluid through said passage to cause thecylinder and piston to serve as a dashpot to retard movement of the gripper effected by said firstmentioned operating means.

A machine of the class described hav ing, in combination, means for gripping an upper on a last, means for effecting relative movement of said gripping means and the last to tension the upper. and means construeted and arranged for operation by fluid pressure while the upper is under tension for changing the tension of the upper.

, 49. A machine of the class described having, in combination, means for gripping an upper on a last, power driven means for effecting relative movement of said gripping means and the last to tension the upper, and means constructed and arranged for operation by fluid pressure While the upper is under tension to increase or to relax the tension of the upper.

50. A machine of the class described having, in combination, grippers for engaging an upper on a last, power driven means for ellecting'relative movement of the grippers and the last to tension the upper, and fluid operated means under control of the operator for moving one or more of the grippers independently to vary the relative tension of different portions of the upper.

51. A machine of the class described having, in combination, a gripper for engaging an upper on a last, mea'ns'for effecting relative movement of the gripper and the last to tension the upper, and means constructed and arranged for operation by fluid pressure to movethegripper in a direction to change, the tension of the upper. I

A machine of the class described having, in combination, grippers for engaging an upper on a last, means "for effecting relative movement of the grippers and the last to tension the 'upper, and fluid operated moans 'und'er controlof the operator for etfecting relative movement of different grippers to ad ust the upper on the last.

A pull1ngover machine havlng, in

combination, an upper engaging gripper,-

operatingfmeans connected to said gripper and comprising a cylinder and a piston in the cylinder, .valve -means for controlling admission and exhaust .of operating fluid with respect to both ends of the cylinder to permit the gripper to be moved "either to pull the upper or to relax thetension, and mechanism for holding 'said valve means normally in position to maintain substantially atmospheric pressure in the opposite ends of the cylinder. I p

54; A pulling-over -machine having, in combination, an upper engaging gripper, operating means connected to said gripper and comprising a double ended cylinder and a piston in the cylinder, means for ad mitting fluid to oneend otthe cylinder to impart a movement to the gripper, and means for controlrlng the simultaneous outlet of fluid from the other end of the cyl inder to determine the rapidity of said movement.

A pulling-over machine having, in combination, an upper engaging gripper, a power shaft, driving connections between said gripper and the power shaft for operating the gripper to pull the upper and for then holding the upper under tension, and

means constructed. and arranged for operation by fluid pressure While the-upper is thus under tension to move the gripper al.-

front of the machine, means for gripping ternatively for increasing or for relaxing the tension at the will of the operator.

with the top ofthe forepart facing the operator in his normal working position in the upper of the shoe, mechanism for operating said gripping means by fluid pressure, and valve means arranged to be manipulated by the operator in his normal working position for controlling the admission of pressure fluid to said mechanism to enable theoperator to initiate or to stop the pulling movement of the gripper in accordance with the observed condition of the upper.

57. A pulling-over machine having, in combination, an upper engaging gripper, an updraw lever connected to said gripper, fluid pressure mechanism comprising a cylinder and a piston in .the cylinder for oper ating said lever to impart upper pulling movement to the gripper, valve mechanism arranged for manipulation by the operator to control the admission of pressure fluid to said cylinder, and means arranged to act on the lever to hold the gripper in the posi- 7 tion to which it is moved by said pressure mechanism.

58. A pulling-over machine having, in combination, a gripper for engaging an upper on a last, fluid operated means for. operating said gripper to pull the upper, and means operative independently of said fluid means to retain the gripper in position to hold the upper under tension. I

59. A pulling-over machine having, in combination, means for gripping an upper on a last, mechanism for effecting relative movement of said gripping means and the last to pull the upper and for then'holding the upper under tension, additional power operated mechanism for subjecting the upper to a further yielding pull, and controlling means to enable the operator to initiate or to stop at will the operation of said additional mechanism in accordance with the observed condition of the upper stock.

In testimony whereof I have signedmy name to this specification.

- RONALD F MoFEELY. 

